Football special report: Europe’s 20 most popular clubs (Part 4)
16. Galatasaray SK 6.8 million
At the 16th spot in this table, we have a surprise entry in the form of Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasaray SK. Aslanlar have 6.8 million fans across Europe but a huge proportion comes from Turkey itself. Galatasaray,
despite their frequent Champions League appearances, are European minnows with their only continental success coming in the year 2000. Galatasaray secured a European double in the form of UEFA cup and UEFA super cup.
17. Olympique Lyon 6.6 million
Olympique Lyon are arguably the biggest French club at this point in time. Les Gones won a record seven consecutive titles from year 2002-2008. Under the guidance of Jean-Michel Aulas, the club has moved from being a Ligue 2 outfit to
a European dark horse. In the early part of the decade, Les Gones were a constant fixture in the later stages of the Champions League but their first semi-final appearance in the primary European competition came in the year 2009/10. The club lost talismanic
skipper Juninho Pernambucano – a global super star – in 2009 following years of devoted service and that has taken its toll on the following. To their credit however, Les Gones still have a respectable 6.6 million people gunning for them across Europe.
18. Fenerbahce SK 6.1 million
We have yet another Turkish entry at 18th place with 6.1 million followers. Fenerbahce, just like Galatasary, are frequent participators in primary European competition. Sarı Kanaryalar have the record for most
Turkish League titles (27) among a host of other records and trophies. On European front however, the club is yet to win a trophy. Fenerbahce’s lone Quarter-final appearance in the UEFA Champions League came in 2008. With a host of other clubs like SL Benfica,
Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund having won Champions League trophies, it’s arguable whether Fenerbahce have a major following outside of Turkey.
19. AS Roma 6.0 million
AS Roma area fiercely proud club that plays in the Yellow-Red colours of ancient Rome. Gilarossi make frequent appearances in the Champions League, especially in the recent years, but their biggest European moment came in 1984 when Lupi
lost to Liverpool FC on penalties. Gilarossi have been blessed with some supreme talent over the years but have spent most of their history in the shadows of their more illustrious opponents. Indeed Gilarossi have only won three League titles so far with their
last success coming a decade ago. The 6.0 million fans are mostly from the peninsula but owing much to the lavish brand of football that Gilarossi play; Lupi do have some admirers across Europe.
20. FC Dynamo Kyiv 5.3 million
On 20th spot, we have Ukrainian Premyer-Liha outfit Dynamo Kyiv as a surprise entry. Bilo-Syni are the most supported club in Ukraine with almost half of the country’s football fans (47%) backing the White-Blues.
Thus, Dynamo’s 5.3 million followers hardly comes as a shock.
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